Moseley is new mogul for Ski Channel

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The Ski Channel has inked a multifaceted partnership with Jonny Moseley that will see the Olympic gold medalist and TV personality take a big role in the network, which is set to launch in first-quarter 2008.

As part of the deal, Moseley will become a spokesman, on-air talent, analyst, instructor and advisory staff member to the network, which is devoted to such year-round mountain activities as skiing and climbing as well as many off-slope activities. Moseley also will make an investment in the channel. The financial terms and length of the deal were not disclosed.

In addition, a show tentatively titled "Air It Out With Jonny Moseley" is in the works that will feature icons of the snow sports world and industry experts. Moseley also will star in an instructional series that will be available on DVD as well as on-air.

Ski Channel founder and CEO Steve Bellamy said the partnership with Moseley is a perfect fit.

"We were looking for athletes who have a lot of brand value and authenticity in the industry," he said. "Jonny is the quintessential name in skiing. He's been in front of more cameras than anybody and happens to know everything there is about the subject matter of the network."

Moseley won the 1998 gold medal in Nagano, Japan, the same year he won the World Cup Title with nine event wins. He has hosted NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and was the host of MTV's "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" for three years. His Ski Channel deal is not exclusive, meaning Moseley will still work on other networks as a TV personality, which Bellamy hopes will expand both Moseley's and the Ski Channel's brands.

"As soon as I found out that (Bellamy) was putting together a channel about skiing, I was like, 'Finally,' " Moseley said. "I've been skiing my whole life, but to really be able to tune in and watch it on TV is almost impossible."

The Ski Channel, an ad-supported network delivered via VOD and other platforms, has a long-term deal with Time Warner Cable. Announcements on other distribution deals are expected shortly.